City banker throws himself in front of train

The head of one of the City's most successful private equity firms has killed himself. Kirk Stephenson, 47, chief operating officer at Olivant, died on Thursday after throwing himself in front of a train near Taplow station in Buckinghamshire.

The head of one of the City's most successful private equity firms has killed himself. Kirk Stephenson, 47, chief operating officer at Olivant, died on Thursday after throwing himself in front of a train near Taplow station in Buckinghamshire.

Mr Stephenson's wife, Karina Robinson, said the New Zealand-born financier was "a dedicated father and a devoted husband," adding: "He valued his family above all else."

Luqman Arnold, chief executive of Olivant, said: "Everyone has been devastated by the news of Kirk's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

A source said: "I imagine, like most high-flying bankers, he will probably have lost a lot of cash recently as a result of the credit crunch. It appears the pressure became too much to bear."

Olivant, set up in 2006, came to prominence earlier this year as one of the potential bidders for Northern Rock.